Why join the challenge?

Browse testimonials from 50 – 30 Challenge participants to understand why they joined the challenge, what it means to them, and the progress their organizations have made.

Ruth Vachon,
President and Executive Director,
Réseau des Femmes d'affaires du Québec
 

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[Text on screen: Ruth Vachon - President and Executive Director, Réseau des femmes d'affaires du Québec]

So let me introduce myself. I'm Ruth Vachon, President and CEO of the Réseau des Femmes d'affaires du Québec. The Challenge has made the network realize that if we don't take action, things won't change. For us, informed decision making is based on a variety of viewpoints from diverse genders and cultures to bring together the needs of society as a whole. From 2019 onward, our board has adopted a policy promoting parity and diversity. Together, we decided to take action. We intentionally made sure that for every position available, at least one application came from someone who was part of a minority group. So we went from a team of eight with no minority representation to a team of 20 that includes six people from diversity groups. That's 30% of our workforce. At the Réseau des Femmes d'affaires du Québec, the 50 – 30 Challenge is mission accomplished.

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Cathy Hogan,
Executive Director of OceansAdvance,
Team Member of Canadian Women in Ocean Industries Leadership

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[Text on screen: The 50-30 Challenge: Your diversity advantage]

[Text on screen: Cathy Hogan - Executive Director, Oceansadvance, Team Member, Canadian Women in Oceans Industries Leadership]

Hello, my name's Cathy Hogan. I'm the executive director of Oceans Advance and a member of the Canadian Women in Ocean Industries Leadership initiative, or CWOIL. We chose to join the 50 – 30 Challenge when we realized that the number of women and other under-represented groups make up a minute portion of this important and thriving sector — an industry worth $37.1 billion to the Canadian economy.

How are we going to do that?

Well, the CWOIL team, through consultations, is driving the development of a national work/action plan which will clearly identify the challenges as well as the solutions needed to make a difference. We will work to make a difference. Let's be the tide that raises all boats.

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[Government Signature]

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"CICan joined the 50 – 30 Challenge because we firmly believe that equity, diversity and inclusion are an ethical and moral responsibility and are necessary for a sustainable future. As the national association representing colleges and institutes, we hope that our joining will inspire members to take part."

Denise Amyot, President and CEO,
Colleges and Institutes Canada

"We pick the best person for open positions, and it just so happens that without any conscious effort, 75%+ of our staff and 50% to 60% of management positions are filled by women because they were and are the best candidates for the positions."

Glenn Murray, President,
Legends Healthcare

"STEMCELL Technologies is dedicated to improving lives through scientific discovery. We understand that valuing and celebrating differences among individuals empowers them to be creative, innovative and collaborative. By fostering diversity and inclusion at STEMCELL, we create an environment where brilliant and life-changing scientific advances can be made."

STEMCELL Technologies

"At Pisces RPM we understand the value of gender equity and representation. Through Ocean Allies, a consortium of ecosystem partners, we aim to bring together diverse talent and an equitable workforce where everyone has a seat at the table and a voice in the conversation."

Pisces Research Project Management INC.

"BPW Canada and the Canadian Coalition to Empower Women (CCEW), through the IDEAS4GenderEquality & Recovery Project, share the 50 – 30 vision to build capacity and promote collaborative multi-stakeholder partnerships to advance inclusion, diversity, equity and access solutions (IDEAS) for gender equality in the workplace, marketplace and communities across Canada. Together we can!"

BPW Canada and the Canadian Coalition to Empower Women

"BioCanRx joined the 50 – 30 Challenge because we believe that our organization, like all others, should be representative of the Canadian population. BioCanRx and our EDI committee of the board are committed to ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace and network through policy, training, studentship programs and other EDI best practices."

BioCanRx

"At Perch, we believe gender parity and representation must be intentional in order to be successful. Building an inclusive company culture can only happen by design, which is why we joined the 50 – 30 Challenge. We need greater participation from everyone to keep the momentum going."

Perch